Device for locking a turning bezel



y 1970 I 3 H. L. BLUM 3,512,353

DEVICE FOR LOCKING A TURNING BEZEL Filed May 10, 1968 United States Patent US. C]. 58-90 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An outer turning bezel of a watch is releasably locked by a stop member which is held against turning and is pressed against the periphery of the bezel by a winding button having a tube extending through a hole in the stop member and screwing into an internally threaded tube protruding in a recess of the casing.

There already exists in the watch making art a certain number of devices for locking inner turning bezels. These devices act inside the casing. Owing to this fact they are protected against actions from the outside and are little disturbed in their operation.

The same is not true however with respect to outer turning bezels. In order to lock such bezels without any inconvenience it is necessary to use Simple robust devices which are not sensitive to the action of outside elements.

Consequently the invention proposes to provide a device for locking external turning bezels which combines simplicity of operation with substantial robustness which this makes possible absolutely certain operation.

To this effect the invention is concerned with a device for locking an outer turning bezel, for example for a case of the divers watch type, characterized by a stop which may be notched or unnotched and by means for applying this stop against the notched or unnotched edge of the outer bezel, for example by pushing in the winding button.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the following description made by way of non-limiting example and to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the locking device.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the locking device.

The outer turning bezel 1 can turn relative to casing 2. The movement of said turning bezel 1 can take place by any suitable means.

The locking device comprises a stop 3 of which a flat part 4 has an opening 5. An edge part 6 makes a substantially right angle with flap part 4. Said stop 3 is positioned in a recess 7 of the casing 2 which receives the winding button 8. The tube 9 of casing 2 thus passes through openin 5. The stop 3 is received in the recess 7 so as to be held against turning.

Winding button 8 comprises a tube 10 which is provided with threads 10a and engages in the internally threaded tube 9 of easing 2 and can screw inside this tube. By pushing the button 8 in so that the threaded portions of tubes 9 and 10 come into contact and then turning the button 8 to screw the tube 10 into the tube 9, it is possible after winding or setting, to apply base 11 of winding button 8 against the flat part of stop 3 and to thus place in contact the edge 12 of part 6 of the stop with periphery 13 of the outer turning bezel 1.

Said periphery 13 of bezel 1 can be notched as can the edge 12 of part 6. Naturally this periphery 13 and the edge 12 can be constituted of any other material apt to ensure by suitable friction locking of bezel 1.

There can be provided various arrangements to ensure the separation of periphery 13 of bezel 1 and edge 12 of stop 3. Thus for example, the fiat part 4 of the stop can be elastic so as to move away edge 12 from periphery 13 when the winding button is unscrewed. It is also possible to connect stop 3 with said winding button 8 so as to be rotatable on the tube 10' but movable axially with it and thus be retracted during unscrewing of this button.

Although the invention has been described with respect to one particular embodiment thereof it is understood that the same is in no way limited to it and that there can be brought various modifications of shape and materials without thereby departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a watch, a casing, an outer turning bezel movably mounted on said casing, a winding button, a recess in said casing, a tube protruding from said casing in said recess, means for locking said bezel comprising a stop including a flat part having an orifice and an edge substantially perpendicular to said flat part and adapted to be placed in contact with said bezel, said locking means fitting on said tube, said winding button having a tube screwing in said first mentioned tube, said button having a surface abutting said fiat part of said locking means whereby said edge part of said locking means can be pushed against said turning bezel for locking the same.

2. Watch as claimed in claim 1, wherein both said edge and said turning bezel have notches.

3. Watch according to claim 1, wherein said flat part of said locking means is elastic.

4. Watch according to claim 1, wherein said locking means are interconnected with said winding button so as to move axially with said winding button.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,134,093 10/1938 Ames 73-431 2,3 82,728 8/1945 Kupchick 5890 3,226,836 1/1966 Bond 73431 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner S. A. WAL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 58l26, 152 

